Ambrose Bierce

An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge Ambrose Bierce

Classic Short Stories - An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce - "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" is "one of the most famous and frequently anthologized stories in American literature"; and was written by American Civil War soldier, wit, and writer Ambrose Bierce. Originally published by The San Francisco Examiner on July 13, 1890, it was first collected in Bierce's 1891 book Tales of Soldiers and Civilians. The story, which is set during the Civil War, is famous for its irregular time sequence and twist ending. Bierce's abandonment of strict linear narration in favor of the internal mind of the protagonist is considered an early example of experimentation with stream of consciousness. Author Kurt Vonnegut wrote: "... I consider anybody a twerp who hasn't read the greatest American short story, which is 'An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge, ' by Ambrose Bierce. It isn't remotely political. It is a flawless example of American genius, like 'Sophisticated Lady' by Duke Ellington or the Franklin stove."